The Underrated Things

There are so many underrated jobs for us to be doing in this life. In fact, most of these jobs we may never even hear a simple “thank you” for our time and efforts in doing them. Are we willing to pour ourselves out in serving others in such a way that if we never hear a simple “thank you” that we will continue serving in love and kindness? How many of us start out serving others only to quit partway through because we feel as if no no one notices us? If we are serving to get noticed, for someone to say “thank you” or to be appreciated, well then, we have totally and utterly missed the point of loving Jesus entirely! When was the last time we said “thank you” to Jesus for the sacrifice that he made on Calvary? How many accolades did He get when His blood was poured out for the remission of our sins? If Christ had died on the cross only to get our praises, then surely He would have stayed in the grave and the curse of sin would never have been broken over our lives. Christ does not love us to get our praises and our accolades. He loves us even though we forget to give Him honor, glory and praise. He loves us because He is the very core and definition of love. There is nothing we can do to earn that love. But there are things we can do to express that love.

Scripture does promise that we will live a life where people notice our good deeds and honor us for them. Nor does it promise that we will receive great accolades and praises for the things we do on this earth. In fact, whatever good that we do in this life the honor is not nor was it ever meant for us to lay hold of. That honor and glory should only go to the Lord himself.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Our “good deeds” are not a measure of who we are, but rather a tangible evidence of Christ’s love flowing through us to the recipient on the other side. It is in the showing of Christ's love that we can catch the attentions of God. We can be the physical expression of God’s love to the world! What a beautiful responsibility that is placed before us as Christians. What makes this even more beautiful is that Christ’s tangible evidence does not have to be shown by a select group of people. In other words, we don’t have to go to seminary, bible college, be an evangelist, pastor or teacher in order to show the world who Christ is. Christ is not limited to a select  group. He is available to a world who needs Him. Christ will use the simplest deeds in order to make His love evident to a lost and dying world. I want us to look at a couple verses today and see the types “underrated things” Christ uses to bring glory and honor to his name.

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” Matthew 10:42

Giving a cup of cold water is not that hard of a thing to do. In fact, it might seem so insignificant why even bother? I want us to think about a time we were so thirsty we would have given anything to get rid of the sandpaper feeling we had in our mouths. Now, think about how an ice cold glass of water would feel on our sandpaper tongues. It would be like a piece of heaven in that moment. Christ views giving a glass of cold water, something that seems so insignificant to us in the natural, as a measurement of our love for Him. When we pour out in kindness and love we reap so much more than we could ever imagine. These little things are significant in the eyes of God. By taking care of the underrated things we are investing in the kingdom.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

When I think of orphans and widows, I often think of individuals who have been left defenseless, unable to care for themselves and desperately needing the loving arms of those around them to come to their aid. I had the blessing of watching family members pitch in and come alongside when grandpa went home to be with the Lord leaving grandma behind. Family did not hesitate to take care of grandma’s every need. They loved her, honored her and served her until the day she joined grandpa with Jesus. They saw her through some of the darkest days of her life on earth. Many of those days were thankless for the family members who held her hands through it all. But I saw the love of Christ poured out on grandma in abundance. The family brought a very real and tangible evidence to grandma in her last days. It was a blessing not only to grandma's heart, but a blessing to all those who got the opportunity to see what the servanthood of Jesus really looks like.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ ‘When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:35-40

We never know who is going to come along our path and need a healthy dose of Christ’s love in their lives. We should always be ready willing and able to give to the best of our ability, to meet needs and to show the love of Christ. Jesus himself listed a number of things in Matthew 25:35-40 that we can do that are underrated yet that can bring blessing and honor to the Lord. We can feed the hungry, satisfy the thirsty, invite in the stranger, clothe the naked, look after the sick, and visit the prisoners. I’m quite sure this is not a comprehensive list, so it is equally important to listen to what God is laying on our hearts to do. He will direct our steps in taking care of the underrated things each and every day.

Lord, thank you for making this walk of faith such a simple concept. Thank you that we don’t have to have a fancy degree, or be a preacher or evangelist in order to show your love to the world. Thank you for using the very simple, very underrated things of this life in order to make a profound impact on the earth. Help us to remain sensitive to the spirit’s leading so that we don’t miss the little things you are calling us to be doing. We love you Lord and desire to show your love to this very lost and dying world. In your precious and holy name we pray.